Senior Director, IT – Data Platform, Engineering, and Operations

Senior Director, IT – Data Platform, Engineering and Operations

Location: San Diego, California (On-site Required)

Company: Qualcomm Incorporated
Job Area: Information Technology Group > IT Management

General Summary

We are looking for a visionary, hands-on leader to lead the build-out of Qualcomm’s modern enterprise-wide lake house and data platform capabilities. As the Senior Director, IT, you will drive strategy, innovation, and execution across data engineering, platform operations, and AI-enabling analytics solutions. You’ll lead a high-performing team, drive cross-functional collaboration, and ensure operational excellence in a fast-paced, global environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Vision & Strategy: Define and execute the data platform vision (lakehouse, governance, observability, security) aligned with enterprise AI goals.
• Data Platform Development: Oversee rapid, incremental delivery of platform solutions using frameworks, automation, and agentic tools to support secure, compliant data integration.
• Data Engineering Leadership: Lead the migration from legacy warehouses to a modern lakehouse hub, building analytics/AI-ready pipelines (streaming, batch, micro-batch).
• Self-Service & CoE Enablement: Establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for business intelligence and self-service data access, guiding business partners from ideation to adoption.
• DevSecOps: Build secure, automated data delivery pipelines with integrated governance and security controls.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure platform performance, scalability, and reliability. Define and track SLAs and KPIs for operational maturity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with IT, business, offshore teams, and vendors to deliver scalable solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Hands-On Technical Leadership: Be actively involved in design, troubleshooting, delivery, and architecture reviews with an engineering-first mindset.
• Innovation Culture: Continuously improve development practices and challenge the status quo with modern, AI-driven technologies and low-code/no-code solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of IT experience with a Bachelor’s degree, OR 12+ years of experience without a degree
• 7+ years of supervisory or leadership experience
• 3+ years working with senior leadership (VP level and above)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an IT-related field
• Experience building enterprise-scale data platforms and operating large data teams
• Familiarity with AI-enabling data tools, low-code/no-code environments, and GenAI integrations

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Drive business-aligned platform strategies and systems architecture
• Lead multi-domain IT initiatives and stakeholder alignment
• Mentor and manage experienced team leads and engineers
• Encourage cross-functional innovation and process modernization
• Ensure secure, scalable, and efficient data infrastructure operations

Level of Responsibility

• Independent decision-making with no supervision
• Leads multiple supervisors/managers across departments
• Accountable for multi-million-dollar budgets and complex programs
• Influences key executive decisions across the business
• Exceptional creativity and innovation required; advanced data interpretation and strategy skills

Why Qualcomm?

At Qualcomm, you’ll be part of a team of innovators shaping the future of technology. We build smart, connected solutions that power billions of devices around the world. You’ll help drive meaningful outcomes with real-world impact, while being part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking workplace.

Accessibility & Inclusion

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. To request an accommodation during the hiring process, please email [email protected] or refer to our toll-free number listed on our careers page.

Apply Now

Ready to lead a transformational data journey at one of the world’s top tech companies? Apply today and join Qualcomm in building the data backbone for the future of innovation.